No, frankincense does not cause a drug-like high, though its scent may make some people feel calmer, headachy, irritated, or a bit lightheaded.
Frankincense has a long history as a fragrant resin burned in homes, temples, and ceremonies. That history leads to a lot of myths. One of the biggest is that frankincense can make you high in the same way cannabis, nitrous oxide, or hallucinogens can.
That claim doesn’t hold up. Ordinary frankincense resin, incense, and frankincense essential oil are not known for producing an intoxicating, euphoric, or hallucinogenic effect in healthy users. What people often describe instead is a shift in atmosphere: the room smells woody and smoky, breathing slows a bit, and the mind feels less busy. That’s not the same thing as being high.
If you’re trying to sort myth from fact, the useful question is simple: what can frankincense actually do, and where does the risk start? That’s what this article clears up.
Can Frankincense Make You High? What Most People Feel Instead
Most people who burn frankincense or smell frankincense oil report one of three things:
- A pleasant scent that feels grounding or calming
- No noticeable body or mind effect at all
- Mild irritation from smoke or fragrance
That middle point gets skipped online. Plenty of people smell frankincense and feel nothing beyond “that’s nice” or “that’s strong.” The scent itself can shape mood, memory, and attention, just like coffee, a bakery, or fresh-cut pine can. Still, that sensory response is a far cry from intoxication.
When people say frankincense “made them feel different,” they may be lumping together a few separate things: a quiet room, slow breathing, ritual, expectation, incense smoke, and a scent they connect with prayer or meditation. Put all of that together and the moment can feel altered. That altered feeling comes from the full setting, not from frankincense acting like a recreational drug.
Why the myth sticks around
The word “frankincense” carries mystery. It sounds ancient. It shows up in religious stories. It gets sold in resin, incense, oil, and wellness blends. That mix makes it easy for rumor to outrun evidence.
Another reason is language. People use “high” loosely. They may mean relaxed, sleepy, floaty, spiritually stirred, or a bit dizzy from too much smoke. Those are not all the same thing. If a person feels woozy after heavy incense smoke in a small room, that still does not mean frankincense itself is a psychoactive drug.
What frankincense is and how people use it
Frankincense is the hardened resin from trees in the Boswellia family. It can be burned as incense, distilled into an essential oil, or processed into supplements. Those forms matter because they do not behave the same way in the body.
Burned resin creates scent and smoke. Essential oil delivers concentrated aromatic compounds. Oral supplements contain boswellia extracts that are sold for joint and other wellness uses. According to the NCCIH boswellia safety overview, boswellia has been studied for some health uses, and frankincense may be safe in aromatherapy or topical use for many people. That page does not describe it as a substance that causes a high.
The gap between “used in aromatherapy” and “gets you high” is huge. One points to scent and topical use. The other points to intoxication. Those are not interchangeable claims.
What the body response can look like
People often want a simple yes-or-no answer, yet the body response still matters. Frankincense can have an effect on the experience of a room without creating a high. That effect usually lands in one of these buckets:
- Scent response: You like the smell, so you feel more settled.
- Smoke response: Your eyes, throat, or nose get irritated.
- Fragrance sensitivity: You get a headache, nausea, or feel foggy.
- Expectation effect: You expect a deep spiritual or mind-shifting moment, so normal sensations feel bigger.
That last one is common with incense. Ritual changes how people read their body signals. A quiet room, dim light, and repeated breathing can make ordinary sensations feel stronger than they are.
| Situation | What A Person May Notice | What It Usually Means |
|---|---|---|
| Burning resin in a ventilated room | Woody scent, calmer mood, no buzz | Normal fragrance experience |
| Burning a lot of incense in a small room | Stuffy air, throat irritation, watery eyes | Smoke exposure, not a high |
| Using frankincense oil in a diffuser | Light scent, little or no body change | Aromatherapy effect stays mild for most people |
| Applying oil directly on skin | Warmth, redness, rash in some people | Skin sensitivity or irritation |
| Swallowing essential oil | Nausea, burning, stomach upset, worse in some cases | Unsafe misuse, not a smart way to chase effects |
| Strong scent during prayer or meditation | Focused, reflective, emotionally moved | Context and scent working together |
| Feeling dizzy around incense | Lightheaded or headachy | Air quality, sensitivity, or too much smoke |
| Expecting a drug-like effect | Disappointment or overreading mild sensations | Mismatch between myth and reality |
Where the real risk starts
The bigger issue is not “Will this get me high?” It’s “Can I misuse it and make myself sick?” That answer is yes.
Essential oils are concentrated products. They are not casual drink additives, and they are not meant to be swallowed unless a qualified clinician has given a clear reason and dose. The Poison Control page on essential oils warns that some oils can cause rashes and some can be poisonous if swallowed or absorbed in risky ways. That matters more than the myth about getting high.
People also get tripped up by the word “natural.” Natural does not mean harmless. Poison ivy is natural. Smoke is natural. A strong resin burned in a closed room can still irritate lungs and eyes. A concentrated oil can still upset skin and stomach.
Who should be more careful
Extra care makes sense if you have asthma, fragrance sensitivity, migraine triggered by smells, young children in the home, or pets that react to diffused oils. Smoke and strong fragrance are not a great mix for every household.
Claims on labels can also overreach. The FDA page on aromatherapy explains that these products are regulated based on intended use and claims. That’s a useful reminder: a pleasant scent product is not automatically a proven treatment, and it is not sold as an intoxicant.
How frankincense compares with substances that do cause a high
A real high usually involves clear changes in perception, judgment, coordination, reward, or sensory processing. Frankincense does not fit that pattern in ordinary use. It’s not known as a hallucinogen, stimulant, dissociative, or classic intoxicant.
That distinction matters because people often mix up calm with intoxication. Calm can come from scent, breathing, ritual, or simply sitting still for ten minutes. A high usually brings a more direct drug effect. Those two states should not be lumped together.
If someone says frankincense “hit them hard,” ask what they mean. Did they feel serene? Sleepy? Dizzy from smoke? Nauseated after using too much oil? Those are different stories, and none of them automatically points to a recreational high.
| Claim | Closer To Reality |
|---|---|
| Frankincense gets you high like a drug | No good evidence supports that in ordinary use |
| Frankincense can change the feel of a room | Yes, scent and ritual can shape mood and attention |
| Too much incense can make you feel off | Yes, smoke and strong fragrance can irritate or cause lightheadedness |
| Essential oil is safe to swallow because it is natural | No, swallowing oils can be risky |
| All frankincense products work the same way | No, resin, incense, oil, and supplements differ a lot |
What to do if you feel strange after using it
If frankincense makes you feel odd, start with the simple stuff. Stop burning it. Open a window. Move into fresh air. If it was an oil on your skin, wash it off with soap and water. If it got in your eyes, rinse well with water.
If someone swallowed frankincense oil, or if there is trouble breathing, severe vomiting, chest symptoms, or unusual drowsiness, get help right away. That is a poisoning or reaction question, not a wellness one.
A sensible way to use it
- Burn small amounts, not piles of resin
- Use good airflow
- Keep oils away from children and pets
- Do not swallow essential oil on a whim
- Patch-test diluted oil before wider skin use
Used this way, frankincense fits best as a fragrance or ritual material. It may help set a mood. It may smell rich and soothing. It may also do nothing much for you at all. That’s normal.
The plain answer
Frankincense is not known for making people high. If a person feels changed after using it, the reason is usually scent, smoke, sensitivity, setting, or expectation, not intoxication. So if your real question is whether frankincense works like a psychoactive drug, the answer is no.
References & Sources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).“Boswellia: Usefulness and Safety.”Explains what boswellia or frankincense is, where research stands, and basic safety points for aromatherapy, topical use, and supplements.
- Poison Control.“Essential Oils: Poisonous When Misused.”Supports the caution that essential oils can irritate skin and may be poisonous if swallowed or misused.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).“Aromatherapy.”Shows how aromatherapy products are regulated and why scent products should not be treated as proven drugs or intoxicants based on marketing alone.
Mo Maruf
I created WellFizz to bridge the gap between vague wellness advice and actionable solutions. My mission is simple: to decode the research and give you practical tools you can actually use.
Beyond the data, I am a passionate traveler. I believe that stepping away from the screen to explore new environments is essential for mental clarity and physical vitality.